Locking-switch



E. O. SESSIONS.

LOCKING SWITCH.

APPLICATlON FILED NOV.2. m2.

v1.11 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

g z A 20 Inf/87275? 1001156155" Edam 0; 566610716 To all/whom it may concern EJDSON 0. SESSION& OF CEIGAGO, ILLINOIS.

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Be it known that I, Ensou O. Snssmn s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Locking-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved form of locking switch particularly adapted for use in connectionwith lines carrying large quantities of current, asfor examp e 5000 amperes or more. When switches of this kind are employed inconnection with alterhating current circuits they must be securely locked in closed position and the quantity of current flowing through them makes. it necessary to provlde locking devices of unusual character, so. that the switches will not be opened by the large flow of current through them particularly if a partial or total short circuit should result in tempo rarily running the current flow to a cons1derable amount above its normal value. My improved construction is intended to completelymeet the requirements of such a lockmg "switch. the locking mechanism being constructedin a novel manner, so that it may positively lock the switch in its closed position under the action of a owerful spring; althoughat the same time t 1e locking mechanism islreadily released by the natural movement of the operating handle in opening the switch, whetherthe switch is of the single throw ordouble throw type.

laiiged, I t t ig. 3. is a sectional view of the parts sh'plwn in Fig. 2 taken along the line 3-3, an Y f i Fig. 4 is a view of the complete switch on a reduced scale in side elevation. y

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views;

As shown in Fig. a the switch consists of a base 10 supporting a pivot clip 11 and con-1 tact clips 12 and 13. A. plurality of-switch' blades 14: are pivotally secured to the pivot Specification of Letters Patent.

My invention willb st be understoodbyhook 21 1s Patented new. is. rare; Application filed. November 2, 1917. serial No. ieaero,

clip 11 and arranged to engage either the contact clip 12 or the contact clip 13 dependmg on the closed position in which the double throw switch illustrated is employed. The movable ends of the switch blades l t are connected as more clearly shown in Fig. l to a block 15 to which the operating handle 16 is pivotally secured atv 17 by means of a yoke 18. The block 15 carries a first lockin latch 19 for engaging a catch 20 associated with the contact clip 12 and a second locking latch 21 for engaging a catch 22 associated with the contact clip 13 by means of which the switch may be securely locked in either of its closed ositions.

The locking mec anism is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and '3 and as seen in these figures the block or llOllSlIlg 15 has extending thereth'rough a rod 17 a and upon this rod spring. The other bent end of the spring is v secured to the end wall 19 of the book 19, this end wall beingdrilled to fit loos'elythe rod 17. The book 19 is provided with a boss 19 encircling thetube 27 and forming a sliding fit therewith, the end of said tube restin against the inner surface of the end wall 19. The outer portion of the end wall 19. is a sliding fit in a hole bored therefor through the end of the block15 so that thehook may turn freely in said block. Thev rovided with a boss 21 which surrounds t e tube 27 forming a tight fit therewith and this boss is secured to the tube 27 by means of a key 28. The tube 27 at its left hand end as seen in Fig; 2 is supported with a sliding fit in ahole formed therefor through the left hand portion of the block 15. As a result of the construction [described the spring 24 which is given a ing atches 19 and 21 positively in the positime indicated in Fig. 3.

To release the latches from their locking engagement the latch 19 is provided with a "lug 19 projecting from its hub 19 in the 25 the'ends of the arms of the yoke 18, said bolt serving to clamp the parts of the handle path of a lug 29 carried by the yoke 18, so

that when the handle 16 is moved toward the observer for the position shown in Fig. 2 or to the left for the position shownin Fig 3 the lugs 19f-and 29 engage each other and the latch- 19 is lifted or moved to its disengaging position after which the switch may be opened. Similarly the hub 21 of the latch 21 is providedwith a projecting lug 21 in the path er a In 30 carried by the yoke 18 the relation of t ese lugs being. opposite to that of the lugs 19 and 29 as a result of whichwhen the handle 16 is moved in the reverse direction to that last referred to the lugs 30 and 21 by their engagement move the latch 21 to itsreleasing position,

after which continued motion of the handle opens the switch'from its opposite closed position. The relation of the various lugs is such that the yoke 18 and the handle 16 are normally held in midposition on the block 15 'b'ythe actionofthe spring 24.

The handle 16 is preferably constructed of a number of disks 16 of insulating material mounted on a 'bolt 16 extending through securely together.

The switch construction described with its locking mechanism maybe employed either with single throw or double throw switches, asdesired, all that is necessary to chan e the construction described to a switch -0 the sin le throw type being to omit onbf'of the ng spring as may be required to meet any condition found in practice and is therefore applicable to switches of the largest capacity.

It is immaterial how many switch blades may be employed in the switch construction described above, the only requirement being that they shall together have the requisite current carrying capacity to meet the requirements of any particular case.

It will be noted that my improved switch handle construction not only affords an efiective and strong construction to withstand the forces frequently required in the opera-- tion of large switches, but in addition provides an effective means of constructing the insulated portion of the handle, vsince the disks of which it is made may be more readily and economically formed than could be the case were the insulating portion turned from solid stock, particularly in view of the desirability of having the end disks of relatively large diameter to shield the hand of the operator from contact with the metal of the supporting yoke.

While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiment above described I do not however limit myself to this exact construction, as I may employ equivalents thereof known to the art at the time of the filing of this application without departing from the. scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the pivot clip and engaging the contact clip w en the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said housing and projecting therefrom, a catch adjacent said contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, and lugs carried by said yok and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated to movesaid switch to its open position.

2. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the pivot clip and engaging the contact clip when the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said housing and projecting therefrom, a catch adjacent said contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, a tube surrounding said spring for supporting said latch, and lugs carried by said yoke and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated to move said switch to its 'open position.

3. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the pivot clip and engaging the contact clip when the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said-housing and projecting therefrom, a catch adjacentsaid contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, a tube surrounding said spring for supporting said latch, said spring being secured tosaid tube and said latch being also secured to said tube,-and lugs carried by said yoke and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated to move said switch to its open position.

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nseaooa gaging the contact clip when the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of saidblade, a yoke pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said housing and projecting therefrom, a catch adjacent said contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, and lugs carried by said yoke and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated tomovc said switch to its open position, said housing and said yoke completely inclosing said spring, lugs and latch with the exception of th portion of the latch projecting from said housing to engage said catch.

5. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the pivot clip and engaging the contact clip when the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported uponsaid rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said housing and projecting therefrom, a catch adjacent said contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, a tube surrounding said spring for supporting said latch, and lugs carried by said yoke and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated to move said switch to its open position, said housing and said yoke completely. inclosiing said spring, lugs, latch and tube with the enception of the portion or the'latch projecting from said housing to engage said catch.

6. ln a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the pivot clip and engaging the conta-ct clip when the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade,

a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely oil said blade, a yolre pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported in said housing and projecting theretrons, a catch adjacent said contact clip tor engaging said latch, a spring encircling said rod for holding said latch in its engaging position, a tube surrounding said s iring tor supporting said latch, said spring i eihgse cured to said tube and'said latch being also secured to said tube, andlugs carried said yoke and catch tor disengaging said latch when said handle is operatedto move said switch to its open position, said housing and said olre coinoletel inclosin P saids rin lugs, latch and tube with the exception of the portion of the latch projecting trorn said housing to engage said catch.

7. in a locking switch, the combination of a ivot clip two contact clips, one upon eit or side 0 said pivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for engaging either of said contact clips as de sired, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported on said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, two locking latches pivotally supported in said housing and projecting from opposite sides of said housing, a catch adjacent each contact clip for engaging the corresponding latch, a s ring connected with said latches to hold t em in engaging position, and lugs carried by said yolre and latches for moving the engaged latch to its releasing position when said handle is operated to move said switch blade from engagement with either contact clip.

El. lln a locking switch, the combination ot a pivot clip, two contact clips, one upon either side oi said pivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for lltl engagin either of said contact clips as do 4 supporting said latches, and lugs carried bysaid yoke and latches tor moving the engaged latch to its releasing position when said handle is operated to move said switch blade trorn engagement with either contact clip.

9, in a locking switch, the combination ot a pivot clip, two contact clips, one upon either side of said pivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for engaging either of said contact clips as desired, a housing carried by the switch blade, T a pivot rod entending through said housing transversely oi said blade, a yoke pivotally snpportedon said red, a handle carried by said yolre, two loclnng latches pivotally supfported'in said housing and projecting lroni opposite sides ot said housing, a catch adacent each contact clip tor engaging the corresponding latch, a spring connected with said latches to hold them in. engaging position, tube surrounding said spring; and supporting latches, said tube eing closed at one and rigidly secured to one ltltl 'lflll latch and the other latch having a wall invof. a pivot clip, two contact clips, one upon either side of said ivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for engaging either of said contact clips as desired, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported on said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, two locking latches pivotally supported in said housing and projecting from opposite sides of said housing, a spring con- -nected with said latches to hold them in engaging position, and lugs carried by said yoke and latches for movin the engaged latch to its releasing position when said handle is operated to move said switch blade from engagement with either contact clip, said housing and said yoke completely inclosing said spring, lugs and latches with the exception of the portions of. the latches projecting from said housing to engage said catches.

11. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, two contact clips, one upon either side of said pivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for engagin either of said contact clips as desired, a ousing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extendin through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported on said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, two locking latches pivotally supported in said housing and projecting from opposite sides of said housing, a spring connected with said latches to hold them in engaging position, a tube surrounding said spring and supporting said latches, and lugs carried by said yoke and latches for moving the engaged latch to, its releasing position when said handle is operated to move said switch blade from engagement with either contact clip, said housing and saidyoke completely inclosin said spring, lugs, latches and tube with t e exception of the portions of the latches projecting from said housing to engage said catches.

12. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, two contact clips, one upon either side of said pivot clip, a switch blade pivotally connected with said pivot clip for engaging either of saidcontact clips as desired, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extendin through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported on said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, two locking latches pivot-ally supported in said housing and projecting from opposite sides of said latch, a spring connected with said latches to hold them in engaging position, a tube surrounding said spring and supporting said latches, said tube being closed at one end and rigidly secured to one latch and the other latch having a wall inclosing the other end of said tube and being rotatably mounted on said tube, and said spring being secured to said tube and its rotatable end closure, and lugs carried by said yoke and latches for moving the engaged latch to its releasing position when said handle is operated to move said switch blade from engagement with either contact clip, said housing and said yoke completely inclosing said spring lu s, latches and tube with the exception of tile portions of the latches projecting from said housing to engage sald catches.

13. In a locking switch, the combination of a pivot clip, a contact clip, a switch blade pivotally connected to the ivot clip and engaging the -contact clip w en the switch is closed, a housing carried by the switch blade, a pivot rod extending through said housing transversely of said blade, a yoke pivotally supported upon said rod, a handle carried by said yoke, a locking latch pivotally supported on said rod and projectlng' from said housing, a catch adjacent said contact clip for engaging said latch, a spring for holding said latch in its engaging position, and lugs carried by said yoke and latch for disengaging said latch when said handle is operated to move said switch to its open position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my7name this 25th day ofOctober, A. I). 191

jEDsoN o. SESSIONS. 

